Conrad Murray is one of the team behind Polka Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet, the premiere of a new hip-hop production of Romeo and Juliet recommended for 9 – 12+ year olds, which will play at the Wimbledon venue 2 March – 14 April 2024.
Shakespeare’s most famous story, will be re-told through rap, rhythms, and beautiful harmonies, in collaboration with Beats & Elements’ Conrad Murray and Lakeisha Lynch-Stevens – the makers behind ‘Frankenstein: How to make a Monster’, ‘Pied Piper the Hip Hop Family Musical’ and ‘High Rise State of Mind’, alongside cast members Kate Donnachie (‘Unexpected Twist’, ‘Pied Piper the Hip Hop Musical’) and Khai Shaw (‘LiDle Baby Jesus’, Orange Tree, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, RSC). The collective will transpose the action to South London in a 60-minute version.
Polka will also tour the show to 12 schools in Merton and across local boroughs as part of a new pilot touring scheme, building on their commitment to offering accessible theatre to school children in the local area, at a time when school budgets are increasingly under pressure. All schools are provided with a free teacher resource pack to facilitate further exploration of the show’s curriculum links and customised show-focused workshops are also available.
More information can be found here
You’re bringing Romeo and Juliet to Polka Theatre ahead of a schools tour, how would you describe the show?
It is like a musical, mixed with a gig plus a movie. The ultimate remix adaptation. Like nothing you have ever seen. The show is a high energy intense musical spectacle. Filled with harmonies, raps and story telling by incredible performers.
What inspired the team to create a new version of Shakespeare’s story for young audiences?
There is a lot of action in the original story but also a lot of powerful themes -parental pressure, arranged marriage, feuding sides and staying true to yourself. Romeo and Juliet stay true to themselves and follow their hearts- ignoring the echo chamber around them. This all seemed great to bring to a new 2024 audience.
Tell us a little more about the music featured in the show?
The music in the show is pretty special. Live looping, beatboxing , singing, rapping and guitar. Everything has been written by myself and the rest of the company. Expect R&B, pop Hip hop and grime bangers. No one would have heard anything before like this. Theatre shows aren’t usually made and performed by R&B singers and rappers – especially Shakespeare. The language in the show is very modern, and will appeal to young audiences. The cast relate to a lot of the themes and characters- and are also local!
What was the most difficult thing about taking the play down to sixty minutes?
It was difficult working out how to tell the whole story with four performers in 60 minutes. We had to pick the best story points, and most important characters. Some of the characters were merged so that we still got their energy and motivations, but from one character.
What does it mean to you to be working with Polka Theatre?
The polka theatre was the first theatre I went to when I was a kid, and my social worker used to take me to the gift shop after meetings. My brothers were taken by young carers. It really transported my young mind to a whole other dimension. It was like Hollywood in the middle of Merton- it really felt so glamorous! I lived in Merton my whole life, and a lot of my family also. I have performed and made a lot of shows nationally and across the globe, but being at the Polka is extra special and means so much to me.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking for Romeo and Juliet?
Book it! If you love Romeo and Juliet , you will love this! And if you have never seen it, this will blow your mind and you will fall in love with it .Incredible music, sick performers.
